Jace

"Where the hell did you take us, Asher?" Kaden whines as soon as we walk inside.

"This is the hottest karaoke bar in town," Asher says, leading us to the bar in the middle of the room.

There's a stage on the other end of the bar where a man and woman are completely butchering Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On".

"Plus, tonight is ladies' night. Girls get in for free on Fridays. Which means a whole lot of talented pussy to go around."

"You call that talent?" Tyler motions towards the stage where a new girl has walked up and is attempting to twerk.

"Don't be judgmental. Talented or not, pussy is pussy. And I intend to get some tonight. And I intend to get some for Jace too." Asher slings his arms over my shoulders.

The task of getting with a girl tonight would be easy. Easy if I didn't have Loni on my mind right now.

"Are you ready for that?" Tyler asks me with a pointed look, taking a sip of the beer he just ordered. "Or are you still hung up on Loni?"

It's not usually like me to talk about girls with my friends. I mean I've told them about some random hookups, but never about a single girl. Except for Loni.

Most of the time, I went to Tyler. I needed to see if he knew anything about her. I needed to know if Hadley mentioned anything to him about anymore or her "dates". But he always says his sister never really tells him anything.

Tyler did try to ask Hadley about Loni once. The only information he got was that she's been super busy working on some class project.

I've seen Loni at practice, but she avoids me at all costs. And I don't push her either. It's been over a week since I stopped cock-blocking her. I can't risk getting kicked off of the baseball team. Even though, deep down, I know Loni would never do that to me. But also, it's not even about that.

After paying that guy to spill drinks on her at the bar, I felt guilty. Childish, really. Loni deserves to be happy. Even if I don't agree with her methods.

She tries to be tough, but I can see right through that barrier she puts up.

"Just not feeling it tonight," I respond to Tyler once I get my beer.

Kaden and Asher waste no time talking up some of the cute bartenders. I don't know if they are doing it for the free drinks, or to get in their pants after their shift. Probably both.

I smirk when the two of them shoot their shot and get turned down. But they don't dwell on it and move on to a pair of women sitting at the bar.

For a little while, I engage with Kaden and the girl he's talking to. She's cute. But even if I wanted a chance with her, I'm not on her radar. She's been oogling Kaden all night.

The girl, I don't catch her name, then introduces her friend and the opportunity for a foursome comes up. On that note, I order another beer. But as I walk to the door something catches my eye. No, not something, but someone. Up on the stage. Dancing like a fool and singing "Baby Got Back"

I don't have to see her face. Just by her cute little ass shaking, I know it's Loni.

The crowd cheers and sings along with her like they are at a live concert. She's completely out of breath but doesn't slow down.

A grin stretches across my entire face.

Loni, a normally uptight ball buster, is letting loose on stage in front of everyone and enjoying every minute of it. I wonder how many drinks it took for her to get up there? Or is she doing this completely sober? She doesn't stumble over a single word.

The crowd in the bar goes wild as soon as she finishes and steps off the stage. I waste no time finding her at the other end of the bar.

"That was great," I say on a laugh as soon as I'm standing next to her.

She blinks up at me, wiping the sweat from her forehead. And to my surprise, she doesn't look angry to see me. In fact, she smiling. "Thanks." She takes a sip of water that the bartender hands her. "What are you doing here?" Her smile finally drops.

"I'm here with some friends."

"Oh, cool." She nods. Her mouth is in a taut line across her face.

"What about you?"

"Oh... I'm uh—"

"Damn girl, that was fucking hot as hell," a guy says, shoving through the crowd and wrapping an arm around her waist.

Loni flashes me a quick glance and forces a smile.

Of course. She's on another "date." But, I don't care. She can do what she wants. I don't care.

He kisses her cheek.

Did I mention I don't care? Because I obviously don't. Even though my palms are starting to heat up and my neck is covered in a light sheen of sweat.

"Hey man," the guy says, releasing Loni and holding his hand out to me. "Ryan."

"Jace," I say, unenthusiastically shaking his hand.

"Damn, girl, that performance was so sexy, I'm sure every guy in this place is needing to adjust his junk."

Well, he's a pleasant one.

Loni's cheeks heat up, but definitely from embarrassment. "Thanks," she stammers out.

"Now, why don't we blow this joint so I can get what you promised me, eh?" Ryan reaches out his hand.

Loni lets out a harsh squeak when he grabs her crotch. She tries to back up, but he never removes his hand or that ugly grin on his lips.

"Hey," I shove his shoulder, pushing him back until he finally lets go. "Come on, don't touch her like that."

Ryan scoffs, still fucking grinning. "Shit, man, the girl has practically been begging for this all night." He lowers his voice and steps closer to me and I can smell the liquor on his breath. His eyes are extremely heavy. The guy is completely trashed. "She's a slut. Just like every girl in this bar. And that's how sluts need to be handled." He laughs, also taking a moment to see if anyone around us is going to join in on the laughter.

But, I don't find him funny.

"Now back the fuck off," he slurs.

My fist slams into his face. And then again. And again. I beat him until he's bleeding out of orifice on his face.

I'm not a violent guy. I never have been. I don't like fighting. But seeing this piece of shit laying on the ground at the mercy of my fists feels fucking amazing.

Drunk or not, he disrespected Loni and every other girl in this bar tonight. And I won't stand for it.

I feel his nose crack under my fist. Blood splatters up onto my face. I can taste it on my tongue, but I don't stop. All I can see is his hands on her. This son of a bitch deserves this.

"Jace, stop!" Tyler yells. His arms wrap around me and pull me from Ryan's body.

"Touch her like that again and I will fucking kill you," I snarl as Ryan is lifted to his feet.

Tyler and Kaden drag me away from him. Asher has his arms wrapped around Loni. She's shaking and her mouth is hanging open in shock. But her eyes are telling me something totally different. She likes that I defended her.

"Take her and get out of here," Asher says, releasing Loni from his grip.

I take her frigid body and pull her into me.

"Get out of here, Jace. You are already in enough trouble. We will take care of this," Kaden says to me, slapping his hand on my shoulder.

I don't say anything. I just nod and lead Loni towards the exit. Fuck I have great friends. If they weren't here, I don't think I would have been able to stop.

"M-my car is over there," Loni says, reaching into her purse with a shaking hand.

"Did you drink tonight?"

She shakes her head. "No."

I follow Loni to her car and we drive back to the apartment complex in complete silence. When she parks the car in the lot, she doesn't move. Neither do I.

"Thanks," Loni finally mutters, breaking the silence. Her green eyes find mine through the darkness of the car. "That guy was a dick." She lets out a sharp breath. "Maybe you're right. This whole thing is stupid." She shifts in her seat and reaches for the door handle but I grab her arm. Her head snaps around.

"If you want to have a no strings attached, just sex, fling, then I can be that guy." For fuck's sake, am I really propositioning myself right now? Yes, I am.

"Jace--"

"Why not? We already know each other. You know I'm not crazy--"

"That's debatable," she laughs.

"Come on, you are willing to sleep with a bunch of random assholes you meet online. So why not me? We may not be friends. But I'd like to think we are acquaintances."

She stares at me with furrowed brows. Is she considering this? I can't read her and it's driving me crazy.

"Plus," I lean my head back on the headrest and shoot her a sly smirk. "From what I've been told, I'm pretty amazing in bed."

She laughs again and I can't help but fall in love with that sound. She pulls herself together quickly. "Why do you even want to do this?"

"Come on, no strings attached sex with a pretty girl, who wouldn't want that?"

She shrugs but in that moment when her guard is down, I move close to her. Close enough so she can feel my breath on her rosy cheeks.

"And that kiss that you gave me," I take a moment, trying not to groan, getting my hardening dick under control. "That was just a taste. Every time I look at you I want... I need more."

Her breath hitches and her lips part. Perfect, plump, ready to be kissed again. But I don't.

"So what do you say? This will benefit both of us. Two people that love sex and want nothing more than that." Well, maybe that last point can be discussed. But that can be saved for another night.

"Good night, Jace."

Before I can blink, Loni disappears from the car. Leaving me completely desperate for her.